5 Ways To Help Your Family Member Recover From A Stroke

If your loved one recently suffered a stroke, he probably feels a little lost and may face challenges with is daily activities. It is up to you to get him on the right track to recovery. Bouncing back from a stroke is not easy, but it can be done. Here are five effective ways to help your family member recover from a stroke: 

Feed Your Loved One a Healthy Diet

Eating a healthy diet is even more important for stroke survivors. A wholesome diet can lower cholesterol, decrease blood pressure and prevent a second stroke. Make sure your loved one includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats in his diet. Your family member should limit his intake of saturated and trans fats.

Make the Home Safer

Stroke survivors have an increased risk of falling, so it is important to make your loved one's home as safe as possible. In addition to cleaning up clutter and removing slippery rugs, think about installing grab bars and a chair in the shower. If your family member has to use a wheelchair, you may want to install a stair lift. 

Hire a Home Care Aide

If your schedule is too busy for you to help your family member all the time, consider hiring a home care aide (such as one from Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care). One of these healthcare professionals will look after your loved one in his home and help him with his daily tasks, such as taking medicine, grocery shopping and doing dishes.

Encourage Exercise

The word exercise might seem scary to a stroke survivor, but it can actually have several benefits, such as lowering cholesterol and fighting depression. If your family member does not have much energy right now, encourage him to do simple exercises, such as taking short walks.

Have Your Loved One Participate in a Stroke Recovery Program

To speed up the recovery process and help your loved one regain skills he lost, encourage him to participate in a stroke recovery program. If your family member works with several healthcare professionals, including a speech-language specialist and physical therapist, he should recover a lot faster.

Recovering from a stroke is certainly no picnic, but it is very possible. If you follow these helpful tips, you can help your family member successfully recover from a stroke. However, if your loved one still does not show any signs of improvement, you should have him see a doctor.

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